19 June, 2014

AN EARNEST APPEAL TO ISIS, KURDISH, SYRIAN AND IRAQI MUSLIMS

ISIS
is reported to have abducted 40 Indian workers of the Tariq Noor Al Huda,
construction company of Baghdad

Many of these workers are Hindus and Sikhs who have never done any harm to you.
They have been completely apolitical and have never crossed your path.

These workers came from different places of India, but shared poverty and
misery for their lot. Earning a livelihood was the only motive that took them
to Iraq. No more, no less.

India is home to world’s second or third largest Muslim population. Despite
several problems that minorities face anywhere, Indian Muslims are far happier
than many Muslims in even Muslim countries.

India’s Hindu majority is by and large peaceful and very friendly to India’s
and other Muslims. Many Hindus visit, respect and adore Muslim places of
worship. Islam has almost complete freedom to prosper in India without
obstruction. Its growth was stunted, if so, only by reason of the misdeeds of
Muslims themselves – Indian and non-Indian.

Yes, the incessant and internecine battles within Muslims in Pakistan,
Afghanistan, Iraq, Nigeria etc and the excesses committed by some Muslims on
the uninvolved and non-combatant non-Muslims have tarnished the image of the
Muslims and of Islam. If a certain backlash is lately visible in India, the
only way to stop it is to stop such excesses.

We believe that you have no issues with India and its politics. At any rate
these hapless workers have done nothing, nothing at all, to suffer. Their
families and their fellow countrymen – including Indian Muslims – are extremely
anxious for their safety and welfare. Indian Muslims are in complete solidarity
with the affected families.

As a rationalist Muslim who has tirelessly worked for the emancipation of
Muslims I earnestly appeal to you to please release these helpless workers as
soon as feasible. And as one of the credible voices of common Muslims of India,
I assure you that almost 180 million Indian Muslims desire the immediate
release and safe return of these abducted people. It is also possible that you
held them to keep them from harm’s way and are about to set them free
yourself.

In the meantime if you can issue a credible public statement assuring that no
harm will come to the abducted people and that you will release them
unconditionally very soon, a great deal of solace will return to their
families, and we will appreciate this richly.

If you care for the perception of Islam, for the welfare of Indian Muslims, and
for the image of Muslims in general, please do not hurt non-combatants of any
faith. Your kind and humane treatment of these unarmed poor will enhance the
image of Muslims in general, and will show that even militant Islam has a
positive side